Steve Zabel, a former college football and NFL star remembered for his rare two-way talent, has died at the age of 78.
The NFLPA Former Players announced Zabel’s death on social media earlier this week. His cause of death has not been released.
Zabel, a Minneapolis native, made his name at the University of Oklahoma, where he became one of the most memorable players of his era under head coach Chuck Fairbanks. Though he was primarily a tight end, Zabel also made a major impact on defense as a linebacker, helping turn Oklahoma into a Big Eight powerhouse.
His breakout junior season in 1968 earned him Second-Team All-American honors and helped cement his reputation as one of college football’s toughest and most versatile players.
In a 2021 interview with the Philadelphia Eagles, Zabel recalled the moment Fairbanks asked him to take on an even bigger role.
“Chuck Fairbanks called me in his office and said, ‘Steve, we’ve proven we can’t outscore people. We want you to play defensive end as well as tight end and see if we can’t win some games,’” Zabel said.
“For me, it was a great transition,” he continued. “I played both ways and punted, and we won our last six games in a row and won the Big Eight Championship.”
His college dominance made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the country. In 1970, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Zabel with the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Zabel spent the first five seasons of his NFL career in Philadelphia before joining the New England Patriots. He played four years in New England, then had a short stint with the Baltimore Colts before retiring after a decade in the league.
While his two-way magic made him a star at Oklahoma, the NFL had different plans for him. As a rookie with the Eagles, Zabel appeared in 14 games and made eight starts, catching one touchdown. But after that season, coaches decided his future was not on offense.
The Eagles told him they believed his temperament was better suited for defense and moved him to outside linebacker, where he remained for the rest of his pro career.
Zabel went on to become a respected defensive presence and was later named to the Patriots’ Team of the 1970s. During his college career, he was also selected First-Team All-Big Eight twice.
After football, Zabel took a different path than many former NFL players. Instead of chasing college coaching jobs, he chose to work at the high school level and give back to young athletes. He also helped establish several charitable programs in Oklahoma City.
Zabel is survived by his wife, three children, several grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
